Seat belt comfort enhancing device
Inactive Publication Date: 2013-01-17
NO CHOKE
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- Description
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AI Technical Summary
Benefits of technology
The present invention provides a mechanism for adjusting a seat belt shoulder strap position based on a user's movements and is easy to use, inexpensive, and ready for constant implementation without further modification. The invention aims to promote higher seat belt usage among motorists and eliminate the discomforts of an ill-positioned shoulder strap.
Problems solved by technology
Unlike the waist strap, the the shoulder strap component of the arrangement is rarely adjustable and is commonly an awkward and uncomfortable nuisance for children, smaller individuals, well-endowed women, and other persons for whom the proximity of the shoulder strap to their face and neck provides substantial discomfort.
The discomfort caused to a person by the use of a shoulder strap may force the individual to forego the use of the seat belt or vehicular restraint system altogether, thus increasing the risk of injury or death to the individual in the event of a collision.
As identified above, the present arrangement of the shoulder strap component of a common seat belt assembly can cause substantial discomfort to a user and ultimately encourages the forbearance of seat belt use and, thus, the concomitant negative public policy result of decreased highway safety.
Adjustment of the shoulder strap in this manner creates additional strains on both the shoulder strap and the waist strap of the seat belt assembly and affects the dispersion of forces in the seat belt in the event of a collision.
Further, adjustment of the shoulder strap in this manner is only effective if the user does not change position beneath the re-positioned shoulder strap.
Although likely effective, adjustment of the shoulder strap in this manner requires modification of the vehicle or the manufacturer's installation of the mechanism at the time the car is assembled.
Accordingly, adjustment of the shoulder strap by this means is both costly and static.
Method used
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[0034]Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the disclosed apparatus in a disengaged and open orientation. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows the inventive concept in is preferred embodiment or best mode as determined by the inventor, said embodiment comprising a length of material 4, preferably an elastic strapping, having a first terminus 9a and a second terminus 9b, each terminus designed to be attached to a point in a seat belt system shoulder strap intermediate in location to the upper and lower ends of the shoulder strap. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows a first cuffing mechanism 5a at the first terminus 9a of the length of material 4, the first cuffing mechanism 5a being here demonstrated in the disengaged and open orientation, having the capacity for engagement and closure for attachment to a seat belt system shoulder strap by a hook-and-loop closure comprising a series of loops 8a that interact with a series of hooks 7a when the first ...
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An apparatus for altering the positioning of a seat belt shoulder strap relative to a user is presented. More specifically, an apparatus is presented whereby alteration of the positioning of a seat belt shoulder strap relative to a user is engendered via direct interaction between an intermediate point of the shoulder strap and a body part of the user. The now disclosed invention seeks to remediate the problem of discomfort caused by the positioning of a seatbelt shoulder strap in relation to a user through the use of an apparatus that alters the positioning of the shoulder strap in relation to a user by force generated through the interaction of the user's body with a means of restraining the shoulder strap.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 432,989 filed Jan. 14, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX[0003]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]1. Field of the Invention[0005]The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for use with the shoulder strap component of a seat belt of the type commonly found in a vehicle. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus intended for utilization to improve the comfort of the shoulder strap component of a seat belt in relation to a user when the seat belt is in use.[0006]Seat belts and other vehicular seat restraint systems commonly feature a mechanical design wherein a user is restrained in a seated position by a combinat...
Claims
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Login to View More IPC IPC(8): B60R21/02
CPCY10T24/318B60R22/024
Inventor ROBBINS, GENE ARTHUR
Owner NO CHOKE